Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1887-07-19
iccpyhEhi. issi, - Ai-oei a Fcrtss.l
THE GOOD OLD TIMES or A
CENTURY AGO.
Bv Jupor c. +. wmrS,s.
Chapter XVII
rIIE NiNIsTrR's ciIAEoE

TiIE MINISTER'S CliAkoE
The moonlish, walk OF the lover.,
though they wen, slowly and talked a
great deal. seemed very short TO him.
when they reached the house ofMr. Hoop
er. samuel was ushered into the libra
~. where the minister "a, before an open
6rr. moodily looking a, the blazing Goals.
"Ah.- he exclaimed. rising from his
sea, and warmly greeting bis visitor.
$50 you have come. in obedience to my
request. heard ,ha, you were 10. re-
turn Immediately 10 Maine, and | feared
,ha, you might no, have time 10 call.
Re seated. | won'i dsl'y you buia few
minutes"
"I shall have time enough. II | can be
in Boston a, AZ in the morning answer.
ed samuel. "ThA, will give me AL the
time | .hall need 20 purchase some Arii-
eles 10 take Along with me. and secure
my passage" -.
"Bu, you will have no time TO sleep
be added.
II, won't hur, me any. 20 be depriv-
ed Of few hours rest. and | can sleep
on the vessel" replied samuel
"wha, wanted TO see you Aboa, va.
this: Through an Agen, a, Falmouth. !
invested some fiieen hundred pounds in
lands. aud. =. yet. have realized scarcely
the in,e,., money out Of IL. A few
days ago 70, intelligence OF the agents
death. and ApPoin,men, Of an adminis'rA-
TOT. DO no, Know whs, situation the es-
tate is in. how be lsf, my affair. OF whA,
condition they are in. II lose u. !
shall be financially embarrassed. s' ! was
depending upon getting some return
Abou, this time. | could bear this my
sslf. perhaps. bu, the though, ,hA, my
wife aud daughter must now be depend.
eat upon my sAlAryis anything but a pleas
an, reflection. la the nature Of things,
my pastoral labor cannot las, much
longer"
A grea, lump came up in bis ,hroA,
=. be said this. and be hsmmed few
times. to preven, his emotion overcoming
him.
"will you look into il, and. II nse:'.
,ary. employ an attorney TO settle the
whole business, | eanno, 20 myself.
besides, Am no, used 20 business. and
have always had others do 1t for me.
Deacon Sumner advised this course while
talking with him about i, to-day"
81 will do the bes, ] can" replied
samuel
"I am satisfied ,hA, you will. Avoid
litigation IL possible. as ! would not like
TO appear a. plaintiff 10 court in any
suit a, law. II |, can possibly be avoided.
/, would scarcely become my position
and calling. Above all. do not distress
the poor" said the kind hearted minis.
ter.
"YOur wishes shall be fully complied
with in the matter"
81 Ihlve confidence in your ability and
integrity. and | ,rus, shall be able TO
pay YOU well for your trouble"
"Are you no, keeping him too long.
papa" asked Ruth. a. the door Of the
iibrary.room opened and she looked in.
ale mus, ride to Boston tonight. and
ought. long ago, to have been on the
way"
81 had jus, finished what | had to
say, my daughter. Here. Samuel. take
these papers. have had them prepar-
ed. giving you full authority to act for
me. But ! am sorry" he said. with
laugh. ",hAt Ruth is 80 anxious 70 &c,
rid OF you" =.
"why. papa! how upjus, you are
she said. ale mus, needs hurry, now,
and | have a few presents for some poor
children down 10 the wilderness. ,ha, he
mus, take along"
80, that's IL, Is IL, But how DO you
expee, him to carry such = bundle as
,hs, all the way to Msine." he asked. as
she brough, forward large package and
deposited IL a, Samuers feet.
"He must carry that, ifhe goes" she
said, laughing. "liow glad their little
hearts will be. / have just come from
Deacon Summers and he gave me some
money. to be laid on, in Boston. In the
purchase OF presents; 80, you see. papa,
iha, wan, him to have time enough TO
get them
samuels goodbye was said. and.
taking the package inhis arms. he walk.
ed rapidly hOmewsrd. His mother scan
ned his eountensnee closely, and saw a
look Of happiness in his eyes. that spoke
volumes TO her Of bis experience OF the
evening. II Was "balm Of Gilead" TO
her soul
II was late. as all the family crowded
around him, at parting. TO wish him a
prosperou. journey. He wen, forth now
As q king, with wha, kings seldom pos
sess. II history Is to be fully credited, a
peace Of mind. "ths, pls'e,h al under
standing"
He had . good horse. and they few
over the frozen ground, making the
sparks fly from the pebbles As they pass
ed. In three hours time. he saw the
dome Of the State House. and. with
horse covered with foam, he drew up a
the public house, where he had obtained
Il in the morning.
Afssr catching few hours sleep. h'
arose and began making his arrange
ments for starting for Falmouth. Jacob
and swipes were pressed into the service